MARYLANDLOCALSCHOOL SYSTEM PROTOCOLSFOR INFUSINGEDUCATION THAT IS MULTICULTURAL AND ACHIEVEMENT (ETMA)

The following protocols represent criteria for implementation of Education That Is Multicultural and Achievement in Maryland local school systems (LSS).We provide them to assist in your Bridge to Excellence planning to infuse cultural perspectives across the curriculum and instruction to assure that no child will be left behind. The listed categories will assist as you track your level of ETMA implementation.

DIRECTIONS:A “YES” response indicates that the item has been implemented throughout the school system.A “NO” response indicates that the item has not been initiated or implemented.An “In Progress” response indicates that the item has been initiated, but not fully implemented systemwide.

PROTOCOLS

YES

NO

IP

I.MISSION/VISION

1.The local school system has a written mission or vision statement that includes a stated commitment to:

vDiversity

vEducation that is Multicultural

vAccelerating and enhancing student achievement

vEliminating student achievement gaps

The LSS’s mission statement is integral to the operation of the schools and is regularly communicated to all staff, students, parents, and the community.

vThe Bridge To Excellence Master Plan includes specific items related to Education That is Multicultural and minority achievement initiatives

4.The curriculum includes lessons that reflect a diversity of learning styles.

5.Curricular infusion of Education that is Multicultural is visible in all subject areas.

III.INSTRUCTION

A.Climate

1.All schools provide an instructional program that promotes:

va climate in which harassment is not tolerated and in which incidents of bullying, intolerance or hate/violence are addressed in an equitable and timely manner.

va climate that promotes the development of interpersonal skills that prepare students for a diverse workplace and society.

va climate that reflects the diversity of the community.

va climate in which linguistic patterns are respected.

van inclusive climate in which students, instructional staff, support staff, parents, and community members and central office staff are made to feel welcome and actively involved.

va school climate that reflects relationships of mutual respect.

B.Access and Grouping

1.All schools promote grouping of students to reflect cultural diversity.

A committed demonstration of high expectations for all students is visible.

vSchools ensure that all students have access to equally rigorous academic instruction regardless of cultural and socio-economic background.

vAll schools assure that all students with disabilities are afforded access to classes and programs in the “least restrictive” environment.

vHighly effective and certified teachers are assigned to low-achieving schools.

PROTOCOL

YES

NO

IP

3.All schools monitor and address disproportionate referrals and placements of students in special education programs.

4.All schools use data disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, English language learners, and socio-economic status to assess inequities.in course participation, student placement, and grouping, and to make adjustments to assure equity.

All schools provide outreach to assure that there is equitable representation of diverse cultural and economic groups in:

vadvanced placement courses

vgifted and talented programs

vspecial initiatives such as grants and/or pilot programs

vstudent organizations and extracurricular activities

All schools ensure that all students have access to instructional technology.

C.Instructional Activities

All schools use instructional activities that recognize and appreciate students’ cultural identities and learning styles.

All schools use instructional activities that promote an understanding of and respect for a variety of ways of communicating, both verbal and nonverbal.

vto recognize and correct inequitable participation in school activities by students and staff from different backgrounds

All schools support opportunities for staff to attend and participate in local, state, regional, and national ETMA conferences, seminars, and workshops.

All schools plan professional development workshops and courses to include an ETMA focus.

All schools maintain current professional development references for teachers and administrators on education that is multicultural and achievement.

V.INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

All schools use resource organizations and materials that promote cultural and ethnic understanding.

All schools use instructional materials that reinforce the concept of the United States as a pluralistic society within a globally interdependent world, while recognizing our common ground as a nation.

PROTOCOLS

YES

NO

IP

All schools incorporate multicultural instructional materials in all subject areas.

All schools involve parents and community members from diverse backgrounds as resources.

All schools maintain a professional library that includes current professional development references for teachers and administrators on education that is multicultural and student achievement.

6.All schools provide instructional resources that assist students in demonstrating an understanding of an appreciation for cultural groups.

All schools have a process for selection of ETM resources that includes all of the following criteria:

vmaterials that avoid stereotyping and bias.

vmaterials that reflect the diverse experiences of cultural groups and individuals.

vhuman resources to help students gain an understanding of cultural diversity.

8.All school media centers include print and non-print materials that reflect diversity.

VI.PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

All schools are barrier free and accessible for people with disabilities.

All school building environments physically reflect diversity in displays and materials.

VII.POLICIES

All schools have written policies and practices that prohibit discrimination against students and staff based on the diversity factors.

Non-discrimination policies and statements are included in staff and student handbooks and publications throughout the school system.

All schools have established procedures for students and staff to report discrimination complaints based on any of the diversity factors.

PROTOCOLS

YES

NO

IP

All school system policies and practices are in compliance with federal and state civil rights in education legislation, including but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, religion, national origin, ethnicity), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (gender), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (disability).

School system policies assure that all school publications use bias free and gender fair language and visual images that reflect cultural diversity.

VIII.COMMUNITY OUTREACH

All schools actively involve the following that reflect diversity in developing policies and strategies to address ETMA issues:

vparents from diverse backgrounds

vcommunity members from diverse backgrounds

vresource organizations

vmaterials from multiple perspectives

Communications for parents and community members are available in languages other than English where appropriate, as well as in alternative formats for persons with disabilities.

All school functions are held in facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities.